Laminated longbow question

[Greg Owen]

I am just starting out. I have purchased materials to make a longbow with the compete riser block built into the bow. Another way to say this is, (I think) the lams on the back of the bow are full length and the lams on the belly are only 1/2 length.  I just read through a build along where the person (sorry can't remember who) made a thinner riser block and used full length lams on the belly too. He then added more riser after the glue up. It seems this would be stronger. I know there is no right or wrong answer here. Who prefers to use full length lams on the back and belly of the bow and add most of the riser after? And why do you like it? Thanks for helping this newbie learn.

[kennym]

I've done both,it may be stronger with belly glass and lams running thru,but on r/d longbows,it is hard to get the riser fades thin as I like due to the geometry of it.

 If you use a slim riser like on a Hornes bow with bigger overlays,it will work tho.

[Dmaxshawn]

Greg I built a bow of this nature when I first started out makeing them and it shot virtually the same as the reg R/D longbow.  As Kenny said it may be stronger but I'm not sure when I had to build some really heavy bows I used a I-beam riser or a phenolic enforced riser to add rigidity to the riser and whole bow.  

I didnt like it too well because it just didnt look right to me but if one were to use the right wood choices and colors of glass it would look great.  My 8 year old son has one built like that and it looks absolutely incredible.  I guess its all personal preference.  I may even build a few more like that some day of course with black glass.  

Shawn

[Greg Owen]

So what I am hearing is that either way done right is structurally sound and under normal use should last a long time. Thanks for the replies!

[kennym]

Yep,been a lot of bows built both ways!

[kennym]

Here is one I did with glass thru on belly,still can't withstand my fat rear ,a mule and a tree!! LOL

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=000226